Missys misadventure, p.32
Missy's Misadventure, page 32
Of the thirty possible individuals, only half a dozen were probable, for various reasons. Worst case, if they couldn’t actually isolate who their traitor was, they could at least eliminate most of their suspects. Once they’d succeeded in narrowing down the list of possible traitors to just a few, those individuals could be dealt with. Yes, Manuel was confident he’d eventually learn who he needed to punish.
Since each of his suspects was not only bringing his wife, mistress or girlfriend but was also bringing a few henchmen/bodyguards as well, also with women, this gathering would number well over two hundred. Adding to that were all his security guards, enforcers and support staff so the total would be closer to three hundred. Thankfully, his hacienda was able to accommodate such a large gathering and he had no problem serving them all with plenty of food and booze.
Soon, it would be time to go down and mingle. Most of his guests had now arrived and he was anxious to get things started. The evening would certainly prove to be interesting and memorable. Then, just as Manuel stood up and started moving towards the office door, he heard Pablo exclaim, loudly and excitedly, calling him back to the monitors.
“Take a good look at the broad Mancini brought here with him! I’d always heard he was pretty good with the ladies, getting lots of nice babes wanting to climb into his bed, but she’s amazing!” Carlos could be seen heading for the entrance with Missy on his arm. Rafe had just handed the car keys to the attendant and was following along behind.
Although Carlos would soon be turning forty, he did not look his age and could easily pass for a man in his early thirties. He was six feet tall, weighed about two hundred and was very fit. His looks were considered handsome, with dark hair, hazel eyes and a very nice smile. His appetite for women was insatiable but he had never allowed anyone to stay long or get too close, so he indeed had earned quite a reputation.
Missy’s graceful poise and the way she carried herself, holding onto Carlos’s right arm, gave her the appearance of a woman in her twenties. They were a very striking couple. They had no weapons and quickly passed through all of the security, once Carlos’s cell phone was cleared.
Missy was using her false credentials as Melissa Smith which “P” Branch had prepared for her months earlier. These included a driver’s license and a few credit cards. She would claim to have dropped out of Boston University during her last spring break, if anyone asked. She was comfortable in her role as the party girl who had decided to stay in South America these past few months after being invited to do so by Carlos.
She had studied Spanish in high school and had continued with this language her first year at West Point. Although not at all fluent, she was able to speak and understand things well enough, especially when she would ask others to speak slowly and repeat themselves. Since she was there as Carlos’s latest consort, she didn’t need to be that articulate and obviously had no need to work for a living.
As expected, once they entered the banquet hall and others noticed their arrival, Carlos was kept very busy making introductions. Missy was able to avoid all but the most superficial of conversations during this meet and greet activity, merely smiling at everyone and allowing her radiant good looks to work for her. Most people weren’t all that concerned with listening to what she had to say. The men were quite satisfied to simply admire her and tell Carlos what a lucky man he was to be there in the company of such a beautiful woman. The women were quite certain she was a gold-digging trollop and they had no desire to compete with her or be compared to her.
Carlos, Missy and Rafe worked their way over to where refreshments and drinks were available and Missy was happy to indulge. Yes, she certainly loved to eat and there was a wonderful selection of delicious items to choose from. Since alcohol had little effect on her, she was able to imbibe freely and merely pretend to being a bit tipsy; this only further freed her from having to hold any meaningful conversations.
Of course, Missy was sending her thoughts to Mike in a steady stream, which he in turn was relaying by radio to Les and the others back at their rental house in Bogota. Mike, John, Captain Bonomo and Tracy were about a half-mile away, on a hilltop which overlooked the estate. Tracy had put them inside one of her circles, in case she needed to draw power and energy. John was of course joking how this was déjà vu all over again, reminiscent of when Tracy had sent down all those lightning bolts on Sal D’Amato’s estate.
Since Missy was bonded with Mike, she also could tap into Tracy’s circle. Of course, with the mountains all around and her ability as an earth witch to draw from those mountains, Missy already had more than enough power if she needed anything. The region’s altitude was more than a mile and a half high. Missy definitely had not needed her silver jewelry.
She was wearing gold jewelry with emeralds instead, to match her gown. A gold necklace contained a pretty green emerald which was large in size and positioned just above her cleavage, while small matching emeralds dangled from her gold earrings. Marsha had promised she’d get to keep these expensive baubles afterwards, assuming she didn’t Shift while wearing them which would destroy the earrings.
After they had been there socializing for perhaps an hour, they were finally approached by Manuel and Pablo. Missy had noticed their arrival earlier and had been tracking their slow progress through the large crowd. Carlos was very expressive, greeting them warmly, just as though they were great friends, and introducing her as “his latest”. Missy cooed appreciatively, snuggling close to Carlos while sipping her drink. Then, she gave the two men one of her dazzling smiles.
Rafe was nervous and his scent made that very clear. Carlos was quite relaxed and in an easy going mood. Manuel’s scent was that of a predator and Missy was not surprised at that. However, Pablo’s scent revealed he was even more nervous than Rafe and that was surprising. Interesting!
Just after Manuel left them to go and greet another group, Pablo said, “Manuel is meeting individually with each of his business associates, Carlos. We’d like you to come join him in his study for this meeting, which will be short … his study is over there, opposite where you came in. If you should need assistance finding it, check with any of our staff members. Please join us there in about forty minutes or so … he should be ready for you by then. Bring Rafe and the lovely Melissa, of course.
Carlos nodded and said, “By all means! We’ll be there. See you then.”
After Pablo walked off to join Manuel, who was busy chatting with the next group, Carlos said, “This will surely be the interview we’ve been expecting. I’m probably high on his priority since he’s scheduled me so soon. I’m betting we won’t be able to talk to anyone he meets with. They probably get asked to leave by a different door and are not allowed to return out here with the rest of us until much later, after he’s met with each of the associates he’s concerned about.”
Missy said, “I’m glad he’s included me at this meeting. I’ve come a long way, special, just to confront him about some things and I wasn’t sure just how this would go. But don’t worry … I intend to provide you both with a very solid alibi for whenever anything bad might actually happen to him. I’m sure there’s a special place in hell reserved for the truly evil and it already has his name on it in large bold letters.”
Rafe said, “But, I thought you told us you weren’t here as an assassin. What exactly have you got planned, Missy?”
Chapter Thirty-One
Sep 28, 2019
“Well, we’re walking into the meeting now. Carlos was correct … none of the other associates have returned … whatever happens at these meetings is being kept a secret. Oh, look! In addition to Pablo, he has four of his enforcers in here with us … two at the door and two at his desk. There’s another door behind his desk … probably the door everyone leaves through after these meetings.” Mike’s voice was coming through the speaker phone, repeating things from Missy verbatim, and Les was recording everything. Mike had been relaying Missy’s thoughts for the past two hours.
He experienced her as clearly in his own mind as he would if she were right there talking to him rather than being a half mile away in the Manuel Rodriguez study. That room was no doubt quite soundproof and had been thoroughly checked to assure electronic surveillance wasn’t possible. Of course, Manuel had no defense against supernatural surveillance. “We’re taking seats in front of his desk … I’m in the middle seat and Carlos is on my right.”
General Blake and Connie had finally gotten used to Mike being able to get Missy’s thoughts and repeat them. Marsha and Robert were there as well but had gotten used to what Missy and Mike could do long ago; this was merely routine for them now.
Missy, through Mike, continued to describe Manuel’s study with the arrangement of furniture and where each person was located. “Manuel is seated behind his desk, with Pablo standing off to his right side, along with two guards. The other two guards are still standing at the door where we came in. None of these enforcers have their weapons drawn, but it’s pretty obvious they’re ready to do that on a moment’s notice.” She also, of course, provided a narrative summary of the conversations and events as they unfolded inside that study.
-----
Manuel quickly got down to the business at hand. “I’m looking for a traitor, Carlos, someone who has been talking about my organization, suggesting I’m responsible for criminal activities. This treachery has brought a task force here from the U.S. You are high on my list of suspects, due to your recent complaints about my reduced pricing for your drugs. What do you have to say about this?”
Carlos said, “I’m sure you have no proof whatsoever that I’m your traitor, Manuel. If you did, then based on what I’ve learned about you since my return to Colombia … I’d already be dead.”
“True, you would be dead if I already had proof. But, by a process of elimination, I’m narrowing down my list. And, as I’ve already stated, you’re high on that list. What can you tell me to get your name removed from my list?”
Missy decided the time for confronting this monster had finally arrived. “Mr. Rodriguez … may I call you Manuel? Manuel. Your days for threatening other people are now over.”
Manuel stared at her, calmly sitting there in between Carlos and Rafe. He was very surprised to hear her speak up. He noticed she no longer sounded drunk or tipsy. “Who said you could speak to me, puta?” He nodded at one of the guards by the door who immediately moved forward, standing behind Missy’s chair.
Missy glanced behind briefly and looked back at Manuel. Slowly, she smiled and her eyes filled with yellow speckles. She began drawing energy from all around and then focused on that one guard standing behind her, squeezing his carotid artery just as she’d done that associate in Jacques Arbogast’s office. When he blacked out and slumped to the ground, she continued to smile at Manuel. “Did you just call me a whore, Manuel? That makes me angry … you won’t like me when I’m angry!”
Several things all happened at once, right after the guard collapsed.
Throughout all of those things, Rafe and Carlos remained seated and did not move. Missy had given them a heads up before hand, explaining some of what would be happening at this meeting and saying they should simply go with whatever she did, following her lead.
Manuel was very surprised, both at seeing his man drop like a stone and at hearing Missy’s calm words right afterwards. He stared into her eyes and was aware she was somehow doing something, as her eyes were now blazing, green and gold. He wondered whether to signal for additional guards but since none of his three guests was even moving, he hesitated. He also exclaimed, “What the fuck …?”
Pablo and one of the guards on Manuel’s right went rushing to check on the man who was lying unconscious. The other guard started to draw his weapon while the guard at the door took two steps forward. Missy pointed at the guard drawing his weapon and he suddenly just collapsed, now also unconscious. Two down.
Missy slowly stood up, never taking her eyes from Manuel’s eyes, and came forward a step so she was directly in front of his desk, looking down at him. “Do you believe in the supernatural, Manuel? You know … heaven and hell, angels and demons? Well, guess what? I’m not an angel. And, you are the one who must deal with the devil today.”
Missy raised her arms and several objects all around the room suddenly rose into the air, lifted up from below or pulled forward off shelves and from the wall. These began slowly moving all around, gathering speed as they circled the room. The guard who had stepped forward from the door attempted to bring his weapon out but that was ripped from his hand and joined the objects now accelerating around the room.
Missy spun around and pointed at the two guards still standing. The objects flying around the room crashed to the floor, as did the two guards. Then she stared at Pablo and said, “Take a seat, Pablo. Use my chair.” The chair she had been seated at earlier began moving backwards, spinning around and before he had a chance to do anything, Pablo was forced down into the chair, immobilized.
Manuel yelled, “What’s happening here? What are you doing?” He tried to rise but a force pressed against his chest, pushing him back into his chair and he found he was helpless, unable to lean forward and unable to reach towards anything on or in his desk. His chair was pushed back two feet and he no longer could signal anyone outside the room.
Missy was really pulling power, energy now thrumming all through her body and she was sending that energy out, allowing the others to feel invisible forces pulsing all around them. Her long hair began floating outward as well, swirling about and adding to the otherworldly atmosphere she was creating. “I’m a demon, Manuel, come to bring you to hell! Or … maybe I’ll just turn you into a giant frog. Would you like that?”
“What do you mean? What are you? How is this possible? This can’t be happening!” Manuel was now frightened, unable to control things. He looked at Pablo who sat there, terrified, staring at Missy in horror. Obviously, Pablo believed she was a demon. He sputtered, “You can’t do this!”
Missy actually made a cackling sound, really getting into her demon role now. “You have no idea what I am capable of doing, Manuel! Let me demonstrate.” She turned to Carlos and said, “Stand up and take off all your clothes. Right now!”
Carlos smiled at her, realizing what she was doing and he gladly did as he was told. While he was stripping, placing his clothes on his chair, the others all stared at him. Rafe, of course, was inwardly smiling as he also knew what was happening. Manuel and Pablo were both confused and uncertain, but helpless to do anything other than watch.
Missy was now circling around, allowing energy pulses to continue being experienced by the others as she watched the scene unfold. Once Carlos had removed the last of his clothing, she ordered, “Crouch down on all fours.” Turning back to look at Manuel, she said, “Let’s see … rather than a frog, I think I’ll turn Carlos into a large cat.” Then she pointed both hands at Carlos.
Carlos took that as his cue and Shifted. His Change was not quite as instantaneous as the Shifts Missy could make but was impressive nonetheless. There was shimmering for a few seconds and energy was definitely given off, and then he stood there on all fours. A two hundred pound mountain lion in all his glory, with fangs bared and his attention now focused on Manuel.
Missy walked over and began petting him on the head. “Now, now, Carlos … not until I give you the word, understand?” She laughed and stared down at Manuel. “Have you decided, Manuel? What’ll it be … shall we go to hell now or do you want to be a frog first? Carlos looks hungry. I’m sure he’d like to munch on some frog legs.”
Manuel had stoically watched as his four guards had all collapsed. He had no idea if they were alive or dead. He’d watched Pablo drop into that chair, unable to move since. And, he’d watched all those objects go flying around his study. But, seeing a man suddenly be transformed right there in front of him, turned into a ferocious mountain lion? He was completely cowed, convinced this woman was indeed some sort of a demon, come to kill him or worse … his imagination was going crazy, worrying about all the things that might be worse.
Missy turned and looked at Pablo. “Your boss will be leaving tonight. What about you, Pablo? Do you want to go with him? Or, are you interested in making a deal? I won’t even ask for your soul. I just want your firm commitment to do whatever we agree upon. What do you say?”
Pablo had also been convinced, beyond all doubt, that Missy was a demon. He was petrified, completely at a loss. He stared at Missy, unable to respond.
“What? Cat got your tongue? Oh, wait … I can arrange for that. Carlos, please come over here for a minute.” Missy walked over to stand beside Pablo’s chair and when Carlos approached him, Pablo moaned.
“Get away! Anything! Whatever you want, whatever you say! Please … make him leave me alone, make him go away!” Pablo managed to croak all this out, pleading his request, completely terrified. Carlos growled menacingly which succeeded in making Pablo cringe, eyes tightly closed, more terrified than ever.
“Okay, then! Glad we have that sorted out. Carlos, go back over there. I think I’ll change you back into a man again. We’ll let these men live for a little longer, before I give them to you to eat.” As Carlos moved away, returning to where he’d started, Missy leaned forward to stare into Pablo’s face. “Open your eyes, Pablo!”
Sensing her there, Pablo opened his own eyes and looked into her eyes, blazing and glowing there in front of him. He was even more frightened then before but didn’t dare look away, mesmerized by her strong will. He could sense the energy and the great forces all around him. Whatever she asked of him, he was going to do. He was powerless and she was a demon, worse than any nightmare he’d ever had.
